March 7/13 21:11 pm - Tirreno - Adriatico: Stage 2

Before a brilliant assembly of sprinters, Matt Goss (Orica - GreenEdge) powered through the rain to win Stage 2 of the Tirreno-Adriatico today, ahead of the Italian Manuel Belletti (AG2R-La Mondiale) and Germany’s Gerald Ciolek (MTN-Qhubeka).

Photo: LaPresse

Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma - Quick-Step), 5th today, retains race lead overall. After the race, he spoke to the press:

The sprint: “I was 30 riders back in the final kilometer and I had a lot of work to do. With 200m to go the peloton went right and I had to slam the brakes on, and that was when I lost.”

The leadout: “We worked as a team but we weren’t in a good position in the final kilometre. I’m disappointed with my lead out. I know they’re better than that. We’ll have words tonight.”

Stage winner Matt Goss also spoke to the press:

The sprint: “In the sprint, Sagan came from behind. He’d come from a long way back but I knew he’d go anyway, and I kind of timed my sprint on his.” [Note: Sagan finished 9th]

A good start to the season: “This is my first road race in Europe this season and I’ve won, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the season now. I know if I’m in good shape I can do a good Milan-Sanremo next week. It’s definitely a goal for me.”

Beating Cavendish and Greipel: “It’s always nice to win. It doesn’t really matter who’s second or third. Cavendish [5th] and Greipel [7th] are two guys I’ve sprinted against, and been in the same team as. Last year I couldn’t get the upper hand. Hopefully I can turn a lot of last year’s 2nd places into wins.” [Note: Goss finished 2nd eight times in 2012).